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by GoPride.com News Staff

Los Angeles, CA — Chicago-based designer Borris J. Powell won gold in the prestigious Oscars Designer Dress Challenge competition with his black satin dress inspired by the Oscar-nominated Black Swan. 

Powell's winning gown, a asymmetrical satin dress decorated with 25 hand-stitched feather pinwheels, was worn by one of the Oscar-toting models during the 83rd Annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Kodak Theatre on Sunday night. 

The 36-year-old Powell was one of nine up-and-coming designers participating in the competition, which included Chicagoans Miriam Cecilia Carlson and James De Colon, Angela Avanesyan (Los Angeles), Katelyn Bischof (New York), Octavio Carlin (Los Angeles), Zoe Hong (Oakland, CA), Natalia Romano (Los Angeles) and Clay Sadler (Los Angeles). 

"I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of this. It just doesn't seem real," Powell told ChicagoPride.com on Monday."But I'm so happy for this amazing opportunity."

A passionate designer and active member of Chicago's LGBT community, Powell was born in Alabama and moved to the Windy City in 1997 to follow his dreams. Now the designer's career is skyrocketing with the biggest exhibition of his career - televised live during the Academy Awards.

Powell's winning gown was chosen in an online poll and was announced during the Oscars Pre Show.

"This win is for you Chicago," said Powell. 

For more about Powell and his work visit www.borrispowell.com.

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